On 2/21/2008
ItsMyTime.... wrote:
On 2/21/2008
ItsMyTime.... wrote:
On 2/21/2008 Jamilah wrote:
My experience was the opposite of yours. After an encounter with air freshener (I've been allergic to fragrances and their chemicals for over 20 years) I felt extremely fatigued and short of breath. That lasted for nearly three weeks. At the time I was a teacher (part-time) and the school wanted to know when/if I was coming back. Finally I scheduled a doctor's appointment.
A day or two before the appointment I began feeling much better and nearly cancelled, but I decided to go ahead. The doctor checked everything out and ordered a routine blood test. That was on a Friday. On Saturday the doctor called and said I would need to come for another test the following week. On Sunday I got a call to immediately report to the hospital because my red blood cell count was too high. They kept me for about 36 hours and ran some tests, including the bone marrow biopsy. Emotionally I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.
I was diagnosed with CLL but it's been two years and I'm waiting on treatment. I feel good (better than I did two years ago) and that's what counts. I can imagine your stress in waiting for results, but as long as you're feeling good you'll just have to put it into the back of your mind and try focusing on something else. (I know that's not easy!)
Hi Jamilah - I too have been diagnosed with CLL. I saw your reply and was wondering what it is that you do to deal with this. What changes (if any) have you made and how is it working for you.
First, I quit teaching. It was only part-time and I was also working from home part-time, so I extended my work from home hours. This made me able to sleep when I need to. There are some days when I have tons of energy and others when I just can't get going. If I'm tired, I nap without guilt. I also switched to all organic foods and drink plenty of water. And I try to get sunshine. We were living up in Wisconsin when I was diagnosed but my husband agreed to look for a job further south. We're in Kentucky now and it's much better. The air is also fresher, which helps.
I belong to a group called CLL_Alternative_Therapies@yahoogroups.com. This has also helped me learn about alternatives, such as herbal treatments, as well as the traditional treatments. There are members of this group who have tried both. I'm still researching my options and I don't want to do anything unless I'm fairly sure it will have a good outcome.
I recently read a book called Racing to a Cure by Neil Ruzic. He was diagnosed with a more aggressive lymphoma but he stayed well for several years without treatment and spent his time flying around the country, talking with scientists about the coming techonologies. He does also have some discussion about CLL. I found the book at the library.
Finally there's a newsletter called CLL Topics. I can't remember how I found it, where it was through the Yahoo group or just by googling.
One more thing. I carefully avoid illnesses by washing my hands thoroughly and often, and by wearing a mask when I go out in crowds, especially in the winter time. Here in Kentucky the flu is at epidemic levels and I'm getting cabin fever from staying in and trying to avoid it. My 18-year old has had the flu for a few days and I need to avoid him, too, unfortunately. I bought my cotton masks on the web. I think the company is called Breathe Right, or something like that.
I hope that helps.